Countries in Bafana Bafana’s way in 2018 WC qualifiers

Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group D of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers Russia together with Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands and Senegal.

Bafana Bafana have been drawn in Group D of the 2018 FIFA World Cup qualifiers Russia together with Burkina Faso, Cape Verde Islands and Senegal.

The battle for top spot in the group and a place at the world’s biggest football spectacle begins in earnest next month.

Only one country will qualify for the World Cup in Russia.

South Africa kick off their campaign with an away match to Burkina Faso, and will end off when they host Senegal in November 2017.

So who are the three nations that will face Bafana Bafana?

Senegal is the highest ranked team in the group, sitting at position 41 in the world – the only country in the top 50 (4th on the continent).

They are followed by Cape Verde Islands on 58th position (10th on the continent) while both South Africa and Burkina Faso are outside the top 10 on the continent with rankings of 13th and 18th respectively (64th and 73rd in the world).

Bafana Bafana and Senegal are the only two countries who have been to the FIFA World Cup tournament – with South Africa boasting three appearances, while Senegal has only been there once.

Of the four countries, Senegal and Burkina Faso will be at the 2017 Gabon Africa Cup of Nations tournament.

Here’s a quick look at all four countries:

South Africa:

Three appearances at the World Cup – France 1998, Korea/Japan 2002 and South Africa 2010

Ranked 64 in the world and 13th on the continent

Did not qualify for the Gabon AFCON

Senegal:

They have been to the FIFA World Cup tournament in 2002 Korea/Japan

Currently ranked 41st in the world and 4th on the continent

They will be making their 13th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations in Gabon in 2017

Burkina Faso:

Have never qualified for the World Cup tournament

Their seven previous attempts ended in disappointment

Ranked 73rd in the world and 18th on the continent

Have qualified for Gabon AFCON and will be making their 10th appearance